fashion, food, and fantastic travels

They say that New York never sleeps, and this might as well be totally the case given that every street is lined with at least two artisan over-priced small scale coffee shops, a Starbucks and a Dunkin’. Finding caffeine in the Big Apple is no challenge. In my two months there this summer, I have attempted to try as many independent cafes (although I will never give up my tired and true Starbucks chai) as I could during my commute, lunch breaks and lazy Sunday mornings. There is a whole world out there of coffee ambiances and gourmet creations to explore in the mega city.

Bluestone Lane: An Australian offshoot, Bluestone is located all over the city and specializes in gourmet drinks and “toasties” which are perfect for a quick light lunch. The locations tend to be smaller, making it more of a grab and go type of place. *Over a dozen locations all over the city.

Chacha Matcha: My favorite New York cafe, Chacha Matcha quickly became my go-to beverage pick-me-up everyday on my commute to work. As the name suggests, they specialize in matcha green tea, but create funky takes on the classic matcha latte with matcha chais, turmeric lattes and matcha lemonades. They also have a delicious assortment of matcha flavored pastries and chilled breakfast items. The crowd, along with the decor, is trendy and instagram obsessed. *Locations in Noho, Nomad, and Nolita.

Birch Coffee: Birch coffee has one of the best chais I have ever tasted. A bit of a unique place, they discourage technology by not having wifi or any outlets. Instead, they have a whole wall of books for customers to cozy up to and little conversation starter cards that attempt to create a hospitable and friendly unplugged atmosphere. Ideal for non-electronic studying! *10 locations across the city.

Think Coffee: A classy and spacious cafe, Think Coffee is a place a study. Standard coffee menu with breakfast and sandwiches, the environment at Think is extremely pleasant. They have outlets at every table, plush leather seats and play a calming mix of classical music which makes you even want to study. In a crazy city like New York, Think Coffee offers a reprieve from all the hustle and bustle outside. *About 8 locations across the city.

Joe’s Coffee: Joe’s has been a New York favorite for a while serving up a quality cup of “Joe” to many neighborhoods for years. They are simple coffee counter stores, but simple does the trick. If you need a quick coffee on the go, Joe’s is the place to go. *Over a dozen locations throughout New York.

Gregory’s Coffee: Another favorite, Gregory’s coffee is kind of like a local Starbucks. They have a large menu of drink options, food, and juices in there spacious cafes. What makes Gregory’s great is that they have a lot of vegan and gluten free food and drinks, making it a place for everyone. *23 locations in Manhattan.

Ralph’s Coffee: The Ralph Lauren Corporation, already pioneers in creating a truly immersive shopping experience, recently opened Ralph’s Coffee Shop inside select offshoot stores. I visited one inside the Flatiron Club Monaco and was delighted to get a delicious iced mocha within the stylish green tiled walls of the coffee outpost and the pleasantly light and airy atmosphere of the store. The coffee is all hand crafted, and the store is perfect for pictures. *Located at the Flatiron Club Monaco, Rockefeller Center, and the Upper East Side Ralph Lauren.

Maman: Maman is a favorite of the stylish Instagram crowd and it’s easy to see why. Besides having great coffee, a decadent lavender hot chocolate drink, and cute pastries, the cafe makes you feel as though you have been transported to the South of France with its cute decor and blue and white color scheme. The cups and plates are all super cute and photogenic too! *Locations in Soho, Tribeca, Nomad and Chelsea.

Citizens Of (Gramercy, Chelsea): While more of a popular brunch place, the trendy cafe has a barista bar serving up an array of exceptional drinks. The Australian styled spot has a refreshingly light interior that feels especially cool on a hot summer day. Come for the avocado toast and stay for the dirty chai (it’s seriously one of the best I’ve had). *Locations in Gramercy and Chelsea.

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As the fashion capital of America and a worldwide fashion hub, New York City is overflowing with a crazy range of flagship shops, small boutiques and mega department stores. This summer, I have had the opportunity to explore many different shopping areas. Here are some of my favorite neighborhoods and streets ideal for any fashion lover or avid shopper.

Soho

Soho is the designated “cool” tourist neighborhood with every imaginable “cool” store you can think of. While it might be busy, the area is vibrant and has some great destination stores such as Reformation, Opening Ceremony, Off-White, etc. There are also a lot of pop-up stores and concept places such as the Glossier Flagship. For window shopping, nearly every major design house has a location around Soho.

Flatiron District

The area around the Flatiron building and Madison Square Park has a lot of major flagships found inside cool Gilded Age era Neo-classical style buildings lining the avenues and streets. Many mid-range stores such as Club Monaco, J Crew, Madewell, Anthropology, Intermix, Tory Burch and Brooks Brothers have huge flagships in this area. The crowds are less around this area too which is a huge plus.

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side area around Lincoln Center and along Central Park boasts an array of slightly trendier and more reasonably priced stores than its east side counterpart. European favorites such as Joie and Maje have large flagships here, along with popular American jean companies Paige and AG. The area is also super cute and quiet.

Chelsea

Around the High Line are some of the nicest streets in the city. They are lined with luxury apartment buildings and designer stores. A lot of New York contemporary designers such as Rebecca Taylor, Alice and Olivia and DVF have their flagships in this area, and Chelsea market is full of all sorts of local goodies and artisan crafts. Seek out bargains, window shop and admire the street art in the popular urban revival neighborhood.

Hudson Yards

The newest and coolest complex of Manhattan, Hudson Yards’ epicenter includes a giant 5 level luxury mall that is unlike any mall I have ever been to. The stores range from high-end designer shops to fast fashion places like Zara and popular places like Aritzia and Lululemon. What’s great is that the ac is blowing and the cool marble interior makes for a fun indoor experience on a hot summer day. The 5th floor holds New York’s first and only Neiman Marcus. They give it their all to give shoppers a modern retail experience.

5th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Throughout Midtown, 5th Avenue to Lex Ave are for the most part very touristy and not very worthwhile in terms of shops. However, the general area that borders central park is home to many of New York’s iconic department stores. Window shop at the massive Bergdorf Goodman, experience the newly reopened accessories and shoe departments at Saks, and take advantage of the many boutique designers being featured at Bloomingdales. Walk further uptown to Barney’s which is truly an experience for any fashion fan and admire the window displays of designer flagships along Madison Ave.

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Back for a new post on my New York adventures! This time around, it seems obligatory to dedicate a whole post to Smorgasburg, otherwise known as the ultimate foodie destination. For those of you who do not know, Smorgasburg is a giant food festival that takes place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn every weekend in the summer. Many famous outrageous food creations have come out or started at Smorgasburg and you have certainly seen pictures of some of their craziest frankenfoods on instagram. Foods such as the Ramen Burger, the Spaghetti Donut, the Raindrop Cake and Big Mozz mozzarella sticks were all introduced at Smorgasburg.

With nearly 100 different vendors at Smorgasburg, it might be just a tad hard to figure out what to get. I recommend spending some time walking around and to just soak it all in. It is amazing to see everyone come together and experience a common love for eating and food all in one small outdoor space. Once you gather your bearings, it helps to plan it all out. It also helps to know that you should be splitting everything, or you might explode from overeating! Here is everything I tried… although there was so much more.

Spaghetti Donut (Marinara sauce): This crazy concept is new this year and is getting a ton of attention. Everyone loves pasta and everyone loves donuts, so why not put these too popular carbs together? While it might seem gross, the donut is pretty much just donut shaped slightly dried out pasta that is lightly fried to hold the shape. Personally, I’m not a huge red sauce pasta fan, so I felt like it was underwhelming. Others love it, however, and this unique food combo is definitely worth a try.

Fluffy Pancakes (Blueberry cheesecake): Oh my god, these were heaven. The airy souffléd pancakes were hands down the best pancakes I have ever tasted. While the pancakes alone are a reason to get them, the different flavors which include blueberry cheesecake and creme brulée make the pancakes extra special and a perfect start to your Smorgasburg experience.

Ramen Burger: There was a ton of hype surrounding the Ramen Burger when it first came out a few years ago. While the combo might seem random, the salty flavor-filled ramen pairs amazingly with the taste of the burger, out doing any bun while looking fabulous for that insta-feed.

Chicken and Waffle (Buffalo Chicken Bites): Someone, a genius perhaps, decided that chicken and waffles can easily become chicken in a picturesque waffle cone. Easy to eat and oh-so delicious, the buffalo chicken bites inside the cone with a drizzle of creamy blue cheese dressing were the perfect portable festival food. Coming from a buffalo fanatic, these were very worthwhile!

Prickly Pear Cactus Juice: I have no idea what prickly pear cactus is but I do know that it makes for a vibrantly beautiful pink juice. While the taste isn’t too special, the color of the juice is something to brag about. Maybe not the best juice of all the many juices at the fair, but it’s refreshing and pretty!

Truffle Fries: Sometimes a classic hits the spot. The truffle fries from the gourmet fry station might be a tad basic, but they are simply delicious and make for the perfect side to any of the outrageous entree options at Smogasburg.

Shaved Ice (Matcha): Definitely my favorite food that I tried at the festival, this trendy dessert is the ultimate treat on a warm sunny summer day. Think of it as fancy adult snow cone, but with two layers of flavored coconut cream, rice cereal, and deep natural coloring. The matcha flavor was to die-for and tasted like a refreshingly upgraded Starbucks green-tea frappuccino.

Coxinhas (Cheese and Dulce di Leche): Smorgasburg is all about trying new foods from different places. I decided to try coxinhas which is a kind of fritter from Brazil. The cheese filled coxinhas was similar to a very melted mozzarella stick. They paired extremely well with the aioli sauce that goes with them. The Dulce di Leche was like a bite of caramel heaven. If the line for Big Mozz is too long, these make for a well worth it alternative.

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So I might have completely neglected blogging the last couple of months, but being a busy college student doesn’t always lend itself to an abundance of free time. A lot has happened since I last wrote. I managed to somehow survive a brutal finals period, pack up all of my stuff, move out, and work and prepare at home for a summer move to New York City. I am now finally settled in the city after a whirlwind first two weeks. So far, it has been an amazing experience, and I am absolutely loving the thrill and the freedom of living in the middle of a giant metropolis. I could write endlessly about everything that I have done so far, but I’ll leave that up to future blog posts that I’m anxiously waiting to post. Anyways, what am I doing and how am I living in this wild fast-paced city?

I admit that I was a little apprehensive about moving by myself to a large city. This is the first time I have lived in a city and it’s definitely a far cry from the isolated and sheltered rural college that I attend in Upstate New York. Here, I have to fend for myself. No more ordering everything on Amazon and marching myself 5 times a day to the unlimited dining hall. I even have to figure out “cooking” my meals which, although I’m a huge foodie, is definitely not my forte. Trying to prepare meals has probably been my biggest struggle, and I have resorted to a lot of dinners full of energy bars and bananas (I have some work to do). I’m also having to figure out transportation methods which is interesting enough since New York has a ton of options, none of which are completely ideal (rural college=clueless Uber newbie here). I seriously love walking around though, and my daily walks to and from work is actually quite invigorating. New Yorkers are intent on their commutes and they walk with such purpose which I can totally embrace and go along with. It’s fast paced and lively, giving me energy for my busy workday.

Talk about distractions, walking around is the worst for my wallet (and tight budget). There are so many great little cafes and restaurants to grab quicks meals or coffee. They all somehow seem much more appealing than my spinach and avocado “salad” waiting for me at home. Good food is so dangerous, please take caution. Everyday, I see somewhere new and make a mental note to try it out, pushing back my homemade oats further down my meal prep timeline. What might be even more exciting and even more dangerous are the sheer number of amazing stores dotting the whole city. Just on my commuting walk alone, I have probably ventured into 5 different stores and I have started a list in my head of all the shopping districts that I need to visit for my soul and not for my wallet’s sanity. My internship’s in fashion, so it’s all in the name of work, right?

Work itself is amazingly interesting and fun. Even being an intern and doing interning things is still somehow exciting. The environment is so creative and lively and the days go by quick. I feel so professional which sounds cheesy, but I get a rush when I walk into the elevator with all these fashion bigwigs at the beginning of each day. While the city can be overwhelming, it means that there is nonstop excitement, leaving me busy and curious. I could write on and on, but I’ll leave that up to next week. Yesterday, I went the Smorgasburg… so stay tuned!

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Hi! It’s me here, resurfacing after a little blogging break and ready to take on the warmer weather. Sweater weather might be finally behind us, so it’s time to break out the florals and sunglasses to embrace the warmth. Some exciting news on my part, I’m going to be living in New York City for two months this summer which means that I’ll have loads of exciting stories and content to share on here! So, what will I be wearing? Here are some trends to look out for this season from picnics and the beach to festivals and outdoor concerts.

Who says swimsuits have to be all made of the same fabric? Mix up your pool-side look this summer with a fun crocheted, metallic or even denim suit. Brands like Solid and Striped and Oséree are changing the way we see swim style by using unique materials and unconventional designs.

We have gone from the blocky platform sandal to a barely-there strap sandal in just a couple of seasons. While a bolder shoe makes a fun statement, sometimes the bare minimal does just the same which is the idea behind this new shoe trend. Embrace a fun sandal this spring and enjoy the freedom of letting your feet breathe outside.

I absolutely swear by my Barbour olive green wax jacket because it completes any outfit and goes with any style while keeping me warm and dry in the fickle Upstate NY April weather. Trench coats are another classic that also works well for early spring, and wind breakers are surprisingly having a moment. Have fun with an 80s inspired neon color-block wind breaker or a metallic jacket to brighten up any outfit.

Think 80s Laura Ashley meets Coachella. Puffed-up shoulders and pastel floral prints might be back (whether or not that’s a good thing is definitely up for discussion). For this season’s inevitable floral fix, try something retro-funky and embrace the light fabrics and colors that come hand and hand with the prairie girl look. Look out for Urban Outfitters’ collaboration with Laura Ashley to see this trend go real mainstream.

I am all for the bold comfy pants that are starting to become a summer essential. For those days when shorts might not be the most appropriate and a dress just isn’t doing it, wide-legged high-waisted culotte pants are the perfect alternative, especially for spring weather. Find a bold printed pair and wear it with a simple shirt to automatically feel stylish and confident.

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Alright alright, I know that I pretend to be a big supporter of small businesses and brick and mortar shops. And yes, I definitely am since I try to shop local as much as possible. However, living in the middle of farm land upstate New York makes it a little difficult to shop for the kind of quality I want with my clothes. Thanks to my isolation, I’ve somewhat perfected the art of online shopping. I know how to find the deals, the kind of clothes I’m looking for, and the prices I deem reasonable. I have compiled here a list of my go-tos. While I know there are many other stores out there on the web.com, these are what I believe are the best. Whatever you think, anything is honestly better than Amazon* (sorry, Amazoners, but really?).

*It was recently released that Amazon is reigning in more revenue for apparel than any other retailer in the US, more so than Target or any large brand…

Probably my favorite online retailer, Shopbop sells clothes that range dramatically in both style and price. They brand themselves around being trendy and fashionable, so they are the go-to place for all of those latest must haves. A lot of what they sell is from smaller lesser known designers which is both cool to find and good to support.

The OUTNET will dangerously change the way you shop and what brands you shop from. In a genius way, they drawl in last season clothing from top designer brands, both small and large, and majorly discount them for the internet to buy. It is essentially an online outlet, but classier and larger.

Asos is a British online fast-fashionesque brand that sells a variety of trendy clothing at very reasonable prices. They have their own brand that is similar to a TopShop or Zara, and then they sell other brands that are usually a bit pricier. A bonus: they have an online student discount and the shipping doesn’t take as long as one might think.

High-end fashion can be found all over the internet these days. MyTheresa sells a selection of expertly curated clothing and accessories from the world’s top designers. They attempt to duplicate an in-store experience online with excellent customer service at the ready for any shopper.

Revolve is similar to Shopbop with many overlapping brands and a similar online experience. However, it’s LA based, so they cater towards a young Cali crowd. Almost all of their brands are US based which is cool, and they stay very up to date on trends, offering amazing edits and inspiration.

Probably the most popular online retailer, Zappos is known for their shoes and crazy fast free shipping. If you need any kind of footwear last minute, Zappos has your back with an array of hundreds of brands and styles. The selection is a little less trendy and less curated towards the stylish customer than say an online department store, but it is super convenient!

The well known luxury department store, Saks Fifth Avenue, has a great online store where you can find nearly everything and more from their stores. While the prices might seem a bit steep, Saks Online will often offer really great discounts and deals that help make online shopping worth it. Nearly everything is returnable for free and shipping is nearly always free.

Nordstrom online is always a go-to for good deals and easy shopping. They also have one of the best online department stores (not every department store is great online) with a huge selection of all of their brands. As always, they have free and easy returns which really can make a huge difference with online shopping.

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Throughout my blogging journey, I realize that I’ve probably mentioned my love for quaint coffee shops quite a bit. I’m not shy to admit my very basic girl tendencies which are sort of ironic because I don’t even like the taste of coffee. I love the idea of a calm peaceful space dedicated to quality drinks. Small coffee shops are always a joy and I find that there is no other space where I can be at my productive peak. I go when I need to study, socialize, write and experience food and drink in such a pure and wholesome form. Given this love, I figured I’d share where it is that I settle down with a chai latte and write to my hearts content.

Whether it be for studying or blogging, I find that quaint coffee shops offer the perfect little escape from the world around me. There, I can fully focus on the task ahead while relaxing and enjoying my surroundings. Being in college, the library and other spots on campus can often be high stress suffocating environments that distract me from doing my best work. That is why I escape. I leave to relax, take a few deep breaths and get to completing what seems to be an always growing pile of work.

While I still stand loyal to my multiple local Starbucks, I was super excited when Penny’s Linden Hills opened last spring since I really wanted a perfect work space coffee shop near me. Their drinks are incredibly flavorful and unique with specials such as the pink spicy peppermint latte (perfect for the ‘gram). They serve up a menu of gourmet crêpes and sandwiches, along with breakfast items and pastries. I will literally just come for their avocado toast which is probably the best I’ve ever had. They just recently started baking their own pastries which is giving me major FOMO since I’m back at school.

I’m currently sitting at Rye Berry right now, writing this, and eating their amazing homemade extra-strained yogurt which is definitely my ideal way of spending a Tuesday morning. Everything is made fresh in-house every morning from the coffee and tea syrups to all of the breads and baked goods. I think that you seriously cannot go wrong with any of Rye Berry’s breakfast or lunch options which range from a daily quiche special to biscuit sandwiches and cinnamon buns. They had a mean pumpkin spice latte this fall which made me actually enjoy the very sweetened taste of coffee.

The Fojo Beans cafe just recently opened after having a local gourmet coffee business for years. The shop specializes in their special blends and fancy teas while selling a changing menu of baked goods from local CNY bakeries. They have a variety of grab and go items such as rice puddings and overnight oats which are delicious and (fairly) healthy. The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual making it a great space to get work done and hang with friends. It is great that Hamilton is expanding their cafe culture with another new place to come in and study.

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The tan fake-sherpa teddy bear coat is arguably the jacket of the year. You know the one I’m talking about, the one you see every young girl wearing around. Recently, while working at my local mall, a group of about 6 high schoolers walked into the store all wearing very similar variations of that same jacket. I wanted one before, but after seeing that, I decided to look elsewhere because do you really want to wear the same jacket of every trendy high schooler this winter? I am not saying the teddy bear coat isn’t cute, but it is probably the most basic trend around (no shame for a basic style though). So much else is out there right in terms of trendy jackets; make it fun! Statement layers are huge right now, making it the go-to investment for this winter. Here are some other ideas to look cute and trendy throughout the long cold season.

I am absolutely obsessed with this puffer jacket- the color, shine, it’s all there and it’s amazing. Perfect for skiing or hanging outside, this jacket is filled with down so it will keep you warm while making a bold statement.

While fur and faux fur are still having a moment, feathers are emerging to be the next “it” layer material. Less warm but less bulky, feather coats are a fun and fresh way to spice up this winter season.

If you want to stick to the sherpa but want something a little different than the all too popular teddy bear, this corduroy lined coat is just as fluffy and comfy. Corduroy is having a moment, so you’ll really be on trend with a jacket like this.

I love a good blazer, but it is usually not appropriate to wear one outside of a very formal workplace. This shimmery oversized blazer, however, can work perfectly anywhere. The shine makes it great to dress up, but having it oversized allows you to dress it down easily with jeans. Win-win and so trendy!

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I did my first beauty/wellness post this summer and surprisingly really enjoyed it (I mean it is pretty much just talking about yourself…!). So, I’ve returned with a second post, an undeniably more important one since anyone who lives in a cold climate knows the struggle of that winter’s dryness can bring. While the winter weather can take toll on hair and skin, these products help make the season more bearable and pleasant.

This all natural high-end brand is my new favorite skin care line. Although pricey, Tata Harper uses quality ingredients that help to brighten and hydrate skin. The Floral Essence smells amazing and duplicates as both a toner and setting spray that allows lotions, creams and oils to work deeper into the skin. This amazing spray will not allow your face to dry out. It feels super refreshing too!

Lush, the niche natural brand, pioneered simple eco-friendly products years ago. Their OG sugar lip scrub remains a favorite today. The formula is seriously just sugar, oil and some flavoring, but the eatable mixture works wonders on dry flakey lips while helping to keep them plump and hydrated. I like the Mint Julips flavor since it tastes/smells nice and fresh, but the scrub comes in all sorts of sweeter flavors such as bubblegum and chocolate.

Sometimes, all you need is a nice sheer lip gloss to complete a look. This balm does just that and more, going beyond looks to moisturize and shine lips. Between the color and benefits, the lip balm is the ideal winter lip product. The packaging is also super cool. I’m a total stickler for labels, so I automatically loved this product.

Turns out that cotton pillow cases aren’t all that great for your skin and hair, especially in dry climates. The material sucks oils out and can cause hair to break. A silk case minimizes those annoying lines you sometimes get on your face in the morning and keeps your hair overall more healthy. Slip cases are super popular and can literally be found anywhere with their cute labeling and portable cases. They come in all sorts of colors ranging from a pretty rose gold to a sleek black.

If you’re going to do one face mask, you might as well do three. This set of three masks puts forth the ultimate “face care weekend”, each with a unique purpose in keeping your skin healthy. Start with the Exfoliant, follow with the Hydrate and end with the Illuminate sheet mask to recover your face from the winter blues. I usually love any mask I try, but this one truly has working benefits and makes a difference.

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First off, I want to apologize for totally neglecting this blog the past month. Finals are rough and I had about 100 other things on my mind (us college students have it hard). But we are back in business and looking forward to this next year. I’m hoping to dedicate more time to this blog in shaping a better layout, writing better content, and working on my photography skills. I cannot wait for what is in store for me, so stay tuned for exciting content.

With that being said, I’m kicking off the new year with what we all should expect in fashion. 2018 saw the rise in popular street style, bold statements, big brands taking center stage and instagram influencers. Designer fashion has gone mainstream thanks to social media promotions and the like. 2019 will follow all of this, but bigger and brighter. I mean we are getting close to the roaring 20s, folks.

Smaller independent labels will take the spotlight thanks to Instagram influencers

The biggest general trend of last year and which will only grow this year is fashion’s influence over social media, specifically Instagram. I have a lot to say over this matter (more on that at another time), but there is no point arguing that it is changing the fashion industry immensely. Influencers (people on social media with lots of followers and who are considered to have an influence on their followers) gain their revenue and rewards usually (especially at first) through small brands who want advertising and an online presence for a cheaper price. As marketing and PR companies continue to expand their dealings with influencers, smaller brands will hopefully continue to seek out advertisers online which will help the industry grow and stay healthy. Keep an eye out for fun new brands on your Instagram feed!

Fast Fashion, for better or for worse, will continue to dominate, bringing in celebrity and designer collaborations

Fast Fashion is also something that I have a lot to say about. I am generally against the idea and try to limit my Fast Fashion purchases, but I accept the scarce benefits that it has. There is no denying that Fast Fashion is huge and will stay huge. H&M, considered the OG of global Fast Fashion dynasties, has been doing designer collaborations well before other brands even came to US malls. Most recently, the Moschino collection seemed to seamlessly fuse the two brands together with Moschino’s trendy street style vibe. Recently, other brands have followed suit (most recently, a scandal with Beyoncé’s Ivy Park and Topshop), but expect the collaborations to become more frequent and publicized due to a growing fascination with celebrity and designer brands.

Faux Vegan (otherwise known as fake) materials will continue their rise to power

I am not totally sure how I feel about this growing trend. I love luxe faux fur coats and such, but find some faux materials to seem rather cheap and inferior. Environmental and welfare concerns have erupted in fashion due to the growing vegan movement, and with that, brands are labeling fake materials “vegan” to attract the environmentally focused. Major brands such as Gucci, Burberry, and Versace have all pledged within the last year to go fur-free by the next 5 years, so expect others to follow suit do to growing pressure from activists. I seriously doubt that fur will totally go out of style since it is a luxury material, but we will continue to see lux faux fur everywhere. Leather is another issue that is waiting to be explored and we can expect the focus to be on vegan leather in 2019 (umm).

Silver, Gold and Metallic prints and colors will be gracing our Instagram feeds

Bold and bright is on the rise, evoking 80s-like style, so why not fully embrace it this year with going all out metallic. Starting with New Years Eve, metallic hues will be the statement of choose for party goers (including myself). Runways of late have been sporting shiny attire, and Instagram influencers (or any of us) love a good statement. I suspect this trend will explode in 2019 along with other bright colors and prints.

Hopefully (so I wish), “dressing up” to go out will continue to gain momentum thanks to our growing concerns over our online self-images

This might be my perception or dream, but I think social media has made us more concerned with what we wear going out. I have never been shy to share my opinions about dressing up, so it makes me truly happy that we are “caring” about our appearances again (or at least I think we are). Some might argue that we should not worry what others think, but I think it is important to present our best selves both in person and on social media. Expect Instagram to help fuel everybody’s individual styles that they are proud dress in (in order to “impress”).

Contact me

livelifeontheclassyside@gmail.com

About Me and LLOTCS

Hi! I’m Addie, a typical college student wanting to share my love of food, fashion and travel with the world. Although I wouldn’t say that I’m the epitome of classy, I like to say that I strive to be. For me, fashion isn’t just about throwing on clothes every morning. It’s a part of my identity and self expression. I try to look my best not just to impress but to project confidence. In addition, I’m a huge foodie who loves to travel and explore different cultures through food. The goal of LLOTCS is to combine fashion, food and travel into one lifestyle, a classy one with a sense of adventure and intrigue.